In this study, we overviewed the magnetic aerogel for the first time in terms of their major types and important applications, and have paved the way for the further research on this futuristic advanced material.

: Aerogels are a class of advanced materials having the lowest density known with extraordinary characteristics of high surface area, extreme porosity, lowest thermal conductivity, and tunable surface chemistry. Aerogels of silica, alumina, carbon, metals, metal oxides, clay, cellulose, gelatin, chitosan, synthetic polymers and many others have attracted much interest for different potential applications. Several attempts have been made to improve the characteristics and performance efficiency of the aerogels. One of those is to fabricate composite aerogels to be used in several applications. In designing composite aerogels for biomedical and environmental purposes the nature of the ingredient materials along with their net efficiency and cost are important to be considered. In this regard, various compositions of composite aerogels have been explored by researchers to make them suitable for use in these applications. In the present study an attempt is made to briefly summarize various studies of composite aerogels for biomedical and environmental applications.

Molecular imprinting technology is based on incorporating template molecules in the polymer matrix followed by their extraction to leave specific cavities similar in shape and size to the incorporated template molecules. The resultant molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) then show antibody-like and enzyme-like behavior. MIPs are used as selective adsorbents, stationary phases, sensors, drug delivery agents, ultrafiltration systems and as catalysts etc. To achieve a specific function, MIPs are synthesized in various forms like beads, particles, membranes, fibers and composites. MIP beads and particles have prime importance due to their use in multiple applications. In this article, we present a survey of various polymerization techniques used for the synthesis of MIP beads and particles along with special focus on the studies presenting their use in separation and purification